Ernesto Valverde liked what he saw from his Barcelona players against Olympiakos on Tuesday despite the fact they were held to a goalless draw in Greece.
Barca would have sealed their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a win at the Karaiskaki Stadium but a combination of Silvio Proto saves, deep defending and the woodwork means they are not guaranteed a last-16 spot yet.
However, they are now unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions -- winning 13 of them -- and only need a draw at Juventus in November to ensure top spot in the group.
"I liked the way the team played a lot," Valverde said in his postgame news conference. "We lacked a bit of efficiency, but we showed the spirit that you have to have.
"Obviously our intention was to win and I think we had the chances to do so, but Olympiakos were great in defence. We didn't take our chances, but never mind.
"So we're satisfied, but not happy. Now we have two games ahead of us and we will look at things from a positive point of view. We're in the same position as before and with a point in the next game we will seal first place -- that's what we will try to do."
Midfielder Sergio Busquets was also upbeat despite seeing his side's 100 percent record in the Champions League come to an end.
"We tried everything," he told TV3. "We had chances, we hit the woodwork... but sometimes this happens. If we played 100 games like this, we'd win 95.
"It can be difficult when there are so many players in the box. We just have to keep working hard. We're still in a privileged position [in the group]."
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both spurned chances to win the game in Athens, with the latter, who hit the bar in the second half, once again coming in for criticism for his performance.
"I like the version of Luis Suarez we're getting," Valverde said in defence of his striker, who's managed just three goals in 13 appearances this season. "Sometimes a goal can depend on a matter of centimetres.
"I will say it again: what I like most about my players is that they're getting a lot of chances because that's a good sign. The success will come."
The night got worse for Barcelona as they could be without Sergi Roberto for the next few weeks after he was forced off with a hamstring strain.
It was an emotional evening for Valverde, who was returning to Olympiakos for the first time since leading them to three Greek titles during two spells and three years in charge of the club.
Before the game there was a huge banner displayed thanking him "for everything" and he was presented with a commemorative plaque on the pitch.
"These things always strike a chord," he said of the reception he was given. "The Greeks are very generous people; they always have been with me. They had a lot of patience with me and it's been a really emotional occasion.
"I've always had this atmosphere here in my favour, but today it was against me! I know how motivated the fans are here for the Champions League -- I have experienced it many times.
"Maybe it was a surprise for those that came from Barcelona, although everyone knows how intense it is here. It was extraordinary, the atmosphere was great."